Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra have been confirmed as one of the headlining turns between April 28 and May 1 as the City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival celebrates its 10th birthday.
You can catch the Later With… man and his multi-tentacled ensemble on the Friday in the Millennium Forum
One of the biggest events on the Irish cultural calendar and highly respected throughout the jazz world, the festival attracted over 35,000 visitors last year to Derry, which is enthusiastically gearing up to be 2013’s first UK City of Culture.
Also on the bill are child prodigy Andreas Varady, the David Lyttle group whose ranks include Jason Palmer, Jean Toussaint and Michael Janisch, the Mark McKnight Quartet, Balkan Alien Sound, the Lol Coxhill Trio and Brass Jaw.
We’re liking the look too of Saturday’s Celtronic session in St. Columb’s Hall, which features the somewhat rockier delights of Cashier No. 9, Not Squares, Ard Ri, Electric Dukes and Undertones man Mickey Bradley who’ll be deejaying.
The return of the Guinness Jazz Trail also means that there’ll be no shortage of quality free music as well.
Visit www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com for the full line-up.